OF NATURAL HISTORY. 455 



not only receives inftru6lIon with rapidity, but accompnodates 

 his behaviour and deportment to the manners and habits of 

 thofe who command him. He affumes the very toiiC of the 

 famllv in which he relides. Eager, at all times, to pleafe his 

 mafter, or his friends, he furioufly repels beggars •, becaufe 

 he probably, from their drefs, conceives tliem to be either 

 thieves, or competitors for food. 



Though every dog, as well as every man, is naturalty a 

 hunter, the dexterity of both Is highly improved by expe- 

 rience and inftru6lion. The varieties of dogs, by frequent 

 intermixtures with thofe of different climates, and perhaps 

 with foxes and wolves, are fo great, and their inftlndls are 

 fo much diverfified, that, even though they produce with 

 each other, we fliould be apt to regard them as different fpe- 

 cies. What a difference between the natural dilpofitions of 

 the fhepherd's dog, the fpaniel, and the grey-hound ? The 

 Ihepherd's dog, independently of all inftruction, feems to be 

 endowed by Nature with an innate attachment to the prefer- 

 vation of fheep and cattle. His docility is likewile fo great, 

 that he not only learns to underftand the language and com- 

 mands of the fliepherd, and obeys them with faithfulnefs and 

 alacrity, but, when at distances beyond the reach of his maf- 

 ter's voice, he often ftops, looks back, and recognifes the ap- 

 probation or diiapprobatlon of the fbepherd by the mere 

 waving of his hand. He reigns at the head of a flock, and 

 is better heard than the voice of his mailer. His vigilance 

 and aclivity produce order, difcipline, and fafety. Sheep 

 and cattle are peculiarly fubje£tedto his management, whom 

 he prudently conducts and protefts, and never employs force 

 againft them, except for the prefervation of peace and good 

 order. But, when the flock committed to his charge is at- 

 tacked by the fox, or wolf, or other rapacious animals, he 

 makes a full difplay of his courage and iagacity. In fitua- 

 tions of this kind, both his natural and acquired talents are 



